Avalon Theatre

1720 Kings Highway,
Brooklyn, NY 11229

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Century Theaters, Loew's Inc.

Architects: Samuel Cohen

Functions: Pharmacy

Previous Names: Loew's Avalon Theatre

Nearby Theaters

1960 photo courtesy of Jack Kirschenbaum.

Originally conceived as the Piccadilly Theatre, the Loew’s Avalon Theatre was built by Loew’s Inc, and opened on January 25, 1928 with N.T.G. and His Radio Pals on stage and Sally O'Neil in “The Lovelorn” on the screen. It was equipped with a Robert Morton 3 manual 15 ranks theatre organ. Within a year of opening, it became part of the Century Theaters circuit.

The Avalon Theatre was closed in 1982.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 61 comments)

robboehm
robboehm on February 12, 2015 at 3:35 pm

How odd. Although Loews built this theater it was under Century management within the year until it closed. They didn’t think highly enough of it to manage it themselves but honor it down the road?

theatrefan
theatrefan on February 12, 2015 at 6:02 pm

You are right it is odd, but I guess the one Wonder Theatre that did not have a auditorium named after it (the 175th Street) would not have sounded too out of place as among such names as Palace, Capitol, Majestic, State, Paradise, Olympia, Majestic, Kings etc.

robboehm
robboehm on February 13, 2015 at 10:12 am

But, as you see, in the heading the name under Loews was not Avalon, which makes it even more strange. There was always an interesting relationship with Century. Loews also built the Manor which became Century’s Vogue. Century built the Prospect in Flushing and leased it to Loews. I think there were a couple of others. At one time Loews was negotiating to acquire Century.

theatrefan
theatrefan on February 13, 2015 at 11:23 am

Yes, right before the Almi & then Rugoff/Cinema 5 combination I believe. The photo on the plaque in the Lincoln Square is a Loew’s Hump Style Marquee, similar to the one the Oriental had originally. I have never seen that photo anywhere else unfortunately. The THSA probably has it in their Loew’s Collection.

robboehm
robboehm on February 13, 2015 at 2:06 pm

How does that photo compare with the one in the photo section above? That is a modified hump back with just the “Avalon”.

theatrefan
theatrefan on February 13, 2015 at 3:33 pm

The photo on the plaque is taken from a distance, & had a vertical sign the said Loew’s and then Avalon on the bottom of it at an angle. I believe the marquee is the same one as the plaque.

theatrefan
theatrefan on March 31, 2015 at 1:38 pm

Walked by today & it seems that part of the Rite Aid signage has crumbled away, They don’t make construction materials like they used to.

ShortEnds
ShortEnds on April 9, 2017 at 2:21 pm

Back in the days of my youth my brother and cousin accompanied me here to see Jailhouse Rock, I actually thought Elvis was in jail during the Jailhouse Rock number:–)

jhwasserman
jhwasserman on January 12, 2020 at 9:24 am

This was a very tall theater, featuring two balconies. It had a relatively small footprint for such a large theater. I saw recall seeing PAPILLON from the last row in the top balcony; the screen was way, way below me.

rivest266
rivest266 on October 16, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

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